Pentagon to cut 20% of generals and admirals

Summarised from 10 outlets · 15 reports · Updated 2 Oct, 14:43 · Archive

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a 20% reduction in the number of generals and admirals across the military.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the Pentagon has eliminated approximately 20% of its generals and admirals positions. The reduction was announced during a speech to military members and represents a significant restructuring of the armed services' senior leadership.

Hegseth described the cuts as part of his broader efforts to reduce Pentagon bureaucracy and improve military efficiency. He stated the reductions were aimed at 'accountability' and targeted officers who failed to align with his vision of a military focused on war-fighting. Hegseth suggested the cuts were directed at those who did not support his approach to the military's direction.

Beyond the reduction in flag officer positions, Hegseth unveiled additional major military initiatives. DW News reports that the Pentagon is creating a new drone command and launching an Elon Musk-led task force to assess the future of warfare.

Politico Europe noted that some of Hegseth's announcements appear to contradict his stated efforts to reduce the department's overall size and spending, suggesting potential tensions between his different strategic goals.

How it is being reported

• Hegseth 'state of the force' speech: US to cut number of generals, admirals by 20%Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the United States has slashed the number of its generals and admirals by 20 percent, in a move he said is aimed at "accountability." Hegseth suggested the cuts targeted officers who failed to get on board with his efforts to ensure the military is focused on war-fighting rather than the "woke" policies of previous administrations, describing the reductions as an "accomplishment." FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Philip Turle tells us more.France 24 · 1 Oct, 10:42
• Hegseth announces 20% cut to US military commandersUS Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says he’s firing 20% of the military’s generals and admirals.Al Jazeera · 1 Oct, 03:34
• US military cuts generals, admirals by 20%, Hegseth saysThe US defense secretary has also unveiled major changes, including a new drone command and an Elon Musk-led task force to assess the future of warfare.DW News · 1 Oct, 02:45
• Hegseth vows to shrink the Pentagon — and then announces plans to grow itThe Defense secretary announced several major initiatives that appear to contradict his efforts to cut the department’s bloat.Politico Europe · 1 Oct, 00:09
• Hegseth announces 20% cut of generals, admirals from PentagonDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a speech Wednesday to military members and enlisted officers that the Pentagon has eliminated roughly one in five generals and admirals in the second Trump administration.CBS News · 30 Sept, 22:41
• Pete Hegseth confirms cutting 20% of US military generals and admiralsDefense secretary ranted against diversity claiming ‘no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals’ in troops Send us your questions about how the Iran war will affect US voters in the midterms US defense secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed plans to cut 20% of generals and admirals and declared “no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps” would be tolerated inside the country’s military. Delivering his latest extraordinary attack on diversity, and dismissing reports of low morale within the US armed forces as “false claims”, Hegseth also suggested they were retaining service…Guardian World · 30 Sept, 22:20
• Pentagon’s Hegseth says 20 pct of US generals, admirals cut, ‘no fatties, no trannies’The head of the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, on Wednesday announced that his department had cut 20 percent of US admirals, generals and officers who did not appear to agree with – or fit into – his way of running things. "Simple translation of that: no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just warriors – just tough, ready, committed troops," he said.France 24 · 30 Sept, 21:16
• Hegseth says US cut number of generals, admirals by 20%Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the United States has slashed the number of its generals and admirals by 20 percent, in a move he said is aimed at "accountability."France 24 · 30 Sept, 21:16
• Why is Hegseth cutting 20 percent of US general and admiral positions?The overhaul could reshape the US military as Hegseth faces scrutiny over senior officers’ removal.Al Jazeera · 30 Sept, 15:35
• Hegseth looking to cut a slew of senior military personnel in latest Pentagon purge: reportDefense Secretary to announce more reductions to high-ranking posts in State of the Force address: ‘Less generals, more GIs’Independent World · 30 Sept, 09:42
• Hegseth to cut number of US general and admiral positions by 20%Pentagon official says the plan will be announced in the defence secretary's 'State of the Force' address in Virginia.Al Jazeera · 30 Sept, 06:05
• Hegseth to announce a 20% cut to generals and admiralsDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to call for a 20% cut in the number of generals and admirals across the U.S. military on Wednesday, a Pentagon official told CBS News.CBS News · 30 Sept, 00:24
• Hegseth to slash 20% of general and admiral roles in anti-bureacracy pushSecretary of War Pete Hegseth is eyeing yet another purge at the Pentagon aimed at gutting bureaucracy by slashing 20% of general and admiral roles, a department official told The Post.New York Post · 29 Sept, 22:05
• Hegseth to slash top US officer roles by 20%Generals’ and admirals’ positions will be cut as part of the defence secretary’s wide-ranging overhaul of the armed servicesFinancial Times · 29 Sept, 21:56
• Pete Hegseth unleashes on military high command with massive PURGE of five-star generals amid Iran warSecretary of War Pete Hegseth is planning to purge additional generals and senior Pentagon leadership during a speech to the forces on Wednesday.Daily Mail · 29 Sept, 16:09

In this story: Pete Hegseth · US Pentagon · United States · Elon Musk

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